And the Blues flier is being backed to shine again, nailing down his spot in Warren Gatland’s party on the summer Lions tour.

You believe Halfpenny will again be Wales’ best player, with in-from Ospreys openside Justin Tipuric being backed by 21 per cent of the rugby supporting public to not only break into Rob Howley’s team but to play a starring Six Nations role.

After impressive performances against Leicester and Toulouse in the Heineken Cup, the Neath-born flanker has been described as one of the form players in Europe, throwing down the gauntlet to the selectors to give him an opportunity to add to his 10 caps.

Returning prop Adam Jones is best of the rest to make an impact in the Wales pack as seven per cent expect him to be Wales’ star man.

Next page: Which non-Welsh player will stand out in the 2013 Six Nations?

4) Which non-Welsh player will stand out in the 2013 Six Nations?

England outside-half Owen Farrell is another youngster who made his name in last season’s Six Nations.

Having scored a huge 109 points in his 12 internationals since making his debut against Scotland last year, he played second fiddle to Toby Flood in the autumn before coming in for the win over New Zealand when the Leicester star was injured.

Now the Welsh public are marking the 21-year-old Saracens star down as the player to watch in this season’s showpiece.

Hot on his heels is expected to be Clermont Auvergne’s scintillating centre turned wing Wesley Fofana, who was also a tournament rookie last season.

His four tries in 2012 got everyone talking.

Among the other shining lights are expected to be back-row stalwarts Jamie Heaslip, of Ireland, and Sergio Parisse, of Italy, who have amassed 231 caps between them and are both captains of their respective nations.

Even though a poor tournament is predicted for Rob Howley’s men, stars Alex Cuthbert and Leigh Halfpenny are still expected to rack up the points for Wales this year.

Blues powerhouse Cuthbert will emerge as the top try scorer, according to 25 per cent of the electorate.

You see French star Wesley Fofana being his closest rival, with Chris Ashton and George North also expected to rack up the points.

Wales full-back Halfpenny is being tipped to do well in the points tally with his goal-kicking. But he is still expected to be pipped into second place by England stand-off Owen Farrell in the top points scorer stakes.

Wales’ opening-day victory in Dublin last year set Warren Gatland’s men on the road to the Grand Slam.

So, can we get off to a flier against the Irish again, this time on home turf?

Yes, is your resounding verdict, with an overwhelming majority predicting a perfect start this time around too.

Leigh Halfpenny’s dramatic late kick proved the difference between the sides in last season’s opener and it is expected to be as tight this time around too.

But, with both sides slightly undercooked going into this year’s tournament, the emphatic majority are backing the home side to produce some Millennium Stadium magic and get their campaign off to a flier.

But, beware, the Irish record in Cardiff is still something to behold as they have only lost twice here since 1983 and in 2011 only a controversial Mike Phillips try separated the sides, so Declan Kidney’s men will cross the Irish Sea with no fear.

A year ago Wales’ successful young squad was expected to make up the bulk of the 2013 Lions touring party to Australia – but after a stuttering autumn doubts are starting to creep in among the watching public.

Stuart Lancaster’s England heroes, who humbled the All Blacks on December 1, will make up the spine of the squad – according to half of those polled in our survey.

Stars Owen Farrell, Brad Barritt, Chris Ashton, and Manu Tuilagi are serious contenders to make up the backline, while forwards like the returning hooker Dylan Hartley, prop Dan Cole and captain Chris Robshaw will be looking to make an impact.

But a third of those polled still expect Wales’ stars to take up the most seats on the plane to Australia, with emerging stars like George North, Alex Cuthbert and Jonathan Davies bidding to tour for the first time.

Finally, for a bit of fun, we wanted to know who you expect to be the tournament villain in 2013.

After referring to Welsh fans as “knuckle scrapers from the coal face” on Twitter last year, former England back Austin Healey took the award last year but this time his fellow countryman Dylan Hartley is expected to rise to the occasion with the men from Twickenham coming to Cardiff for the tournament’s climax.

On his return from injury, the controversial New Zealand-born man is expected to ruffle our feathers again by a third of those taking our poll.

Pantomime villain referee Alain Rolland was narrowly beaten into second by Hartley after emerging from the 2011 World Cup as the man Welsh fans love to hate.

Even though the Irish official who sent Sam Warburton off in the semi-final against France will not be in charge of any Wales games this time around, he will be running the line on our trips to Paris and Rome.

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